History of the Peloponnesian War

The generals therefore, Cleomedes son of Lycomedes, and Tisias son of Tisimachus, [*](στρατοπεδευσάμενοι ἐς τὴν γὴν.] A concise form for what is more fully expressed by διαβάντες ἐστρατοπεδεύσαντο, VIII. 25. 1; and by καταπλεύσαντες ἐστρατοπεδεύσαντο VIII. 79. 4.—Poppo.) having gone and encamped in their territory with this armament, before injuring any part of the land, first sent ambassadors to hold a conference with them. These the Melians did not introduce to their popular assembly, but desired them to state the objects of their mission before the magistrates and the few. The ambassadors of the Athenians then spoke as follows: